Private Health Insurance: Employer Coverage Trends Signal Possible Decline in Access for 55- to 64-Year-Olds

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed access to health insurance by near-elderly Americans aged 55 to 64, focusing on the near elderly's: (1) health, employment, income, and health insurance status; (2) ability to obtain employer-based health insurance if they retire before they are eligible for Medicare; and (3) access to individually purchased coverage or employer-based continuation insurance and the associated costs.